Empire DV-210-10SG, Installation Instructions And Owner'S Manual

32193-3-0514

Page 4

SAFETY INFORMATION FOR USERS OF LP-GAS

Propane (LP-Gas) is a flammable gas which can cause fires 

and explosions.  In its natural state, propane is odorless and 

colorless.  You may not know all the following safety precau-

tions which can protect both you and your family from an ac-

cident.  Read them carefully now, then review them point by 

point with the members of your household.  Someday when 

there may not be a minute to lose, everyone's safety will depend 

on knowing exactly what to do.  If, after reading the following 

information, you feel you still need more information, please 

contact your gas supplier.

LP-GAS WARNING ODOR

If a gas leak happens, you should be able to smell the gas 

because of the odorant put in the LP-Gas. 

That's your signal to go into immediate action!

• 

Do not operate electric switches, light matches, use your phone.  

Do not do anything that could ignite the gas.

•   Get everyone out of the building, vehicle, trailer, or area. Do 

that IMMEDIATELY.

•   Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves.
•   LP-Gas is heavier than air and may settle in low areas such 

as basements.  When you have reason to suspect a gas leak, 

keep out of basements and other low areas.  Stay out until 

firefighters declare them to be safe.

•   Use your neighbor's phone and call a trained LP-Gas service 

person and the fire department.  Even though you may not 

continue to smell gas, do not turn on the gas again.  Do not 

re-enter the building, vehicle, trailer, or area.

•  

Finally, 

let the service man and firefighters check for escaped 

gas.  Have them air out the area before you return.  Properly 

trained LP-Gas service people should repair the leak, then 

check and relight the gas appliance for you.

NO ODOR DETECTED - ODOR FADE

Some people cannot smell well. Some people cannot smell the 

odor of the chemical put into the gas. You must find out if you can 

smell the odorant in propane. Smoking can decrease your ability to 

smell. Being around an odor for a time can affect your sensitivity or 

ability to detect that odor. Sometimes other odors in the area mask 

the gas odor. People may not smell the gas odor or their minds are 

on something else. Thinking about smelling a gas odor can make 

it easier to smell.
The odorant in LP-gas is colorless, and it can fade under some 

circumstances. For example, if there is an underground leak, the 

movement of the gas through soil can filter the odorant. Odorants in 

LP-Gas also are subject to oxidation. This fading can occur if there 

is rust inside the storage tank or in iron gas pipes.
The odorant in escaped gas can adsorb or absorb onto or into 

walls, masonry and other materials and fabrics in a room. That will 

take some of the odorant out of the gas, reducing its odor intensity.
LP-Gas may stratify in a closed area, and the odor intensity could 

vary at different levels. Since it is heavier than air, there may be 

more odor at lower levels. Always be sensitive to the slightest gas 

odor. If you detect any odor, treat it as a serious leak. Immediately 

go into action as instructed earlier.

SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER

•  Learn to recognize the odor of LP-gas. Your local LP-Gas 

Dealer can give you a "Scratch and Sniff" pamphlet. Use it to 

find out what the propane odor smells like. If you suspect that 

your LP-Gas has a weak or abnormal odor, call your LP-Gas 

Dealer.

• 

If you are not qualified, do not light pilot lights, perform service, 

or make adjustments to appliances on the LP-Gas system. If 

you are qualified, consciously think about the odor of LP-Gas 

prior to and while lighting pilot lights or performing service or 

making adjustments.

•  Sometimes a basement or a closed-up house has a musty 

smell that can cover up the LP-Gas odor. Do not try to light 

pilot lights, perform service, or make adjustments in an area 

where the conditions are such that you may not detect the odor 

if there has been a leak of LP-Gas.

•  Odor fade, due to oxidation by rust or adsorption on walls of 

new cylinders and tanks, is possible. Therefore, people should 

be particularly alert and careful when new tanks or cylinders 

are placed in service. Odor fade can occur in new tanks, or 

reinstalled old tanks, if they are filled and allowed to set too 

long before refilling. Cylinders and tanks which have been out 

of service for a time may develop internal rust which will cause 

odor fade. If such conditions are suspected to exist, a periodic 

sniff test of the gas is advisable. If you have any question about 

the gas odor, call your LP-gas dealer. A periodic sniff test of the 

LP-gas is a good safety measure under any condition.

• 

If, at any time, you do not smell the LP-Gas odorant and you 

think you should, assume you have a leak. Then take the same 

immediate action recommended above for the occasion when 

you do detect the odorized LP-Gas.

• 

If you experience a complete "gas out," (the container is under 

no vapor pressure), turn the tank valve off immediately. If the 

container valve is left on, the container may draw in some air 

through openings such as pilot light orifices. If this occurs, some 

new internal rusting could occur. If the valve is left open, then 

treat the container as a new tank. Always be sure your con-

tainer is under vapor pressure by turning it off at the container 

before it goes completely empty or having it refilled before it is 

completely empty.